Members of the motoring media and content creators recently got behind the wheel of the Volkswagen T-Cross, driving the vehicle in an idyllic trip from AC Motors Centrale in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to Tagaytay City in Cavite.
From driving Volkswagen’s global subcompact SUV — the T-Cross — to the fun and creative pot making session and sumptuous lunch at Hillbarn Café and Restaurant and Kap’ean Coffee PH, participants discovered more than one way to enjoy a trip to the popular ridge onboard the T-Cross. The ride-and-drive activity, which was spread out over three days, was made to highlight the T-Cross’ advantage — of it being “More Than One Thing” for its buyers.
The award-winning T-Cross stays true to the German automaker’s distinctive build and design qualities. The crossover — like all other Volkswagen models — benefits from precise German engineering across the entire production process, in all its global facilities. This is evident in every model’s fit and finish: Laser welding technology; forged steel door hinges; high-strength panels, and; consistent door seals and panel gaps, all contributing to a strong and durable body structure. This means that every T-Cross owner anywhere in the world is assured of a consistent, solid, world-class build. It’s as if the very same engineers, designers, and assemblers in Wolfsburg built every T-Cross themselves.
AWARD-WINNING T-Cross stays true to the German automaker’s distinctive build and design qualities.
Though the classic and signature Volkswagen look is still evident in the T-Cross, its “Cool” factor grabs the attention of the younger generation of drivers with hip and trendy interior and exterior designs and colors bearing quirky names such as Tribu Yellow, Syringa Violet, Romance Red, Chinchilla Gray, and Polar White. The SE variant, in fact, even matches interior trims with its exterior color. For that more “in control” feel at the pilot’s seat, the gauges and infotainment system are easy to read with the Active Info Display, while the large 9.2-inch infotainment monitor maximizes the Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The 2022 T-Cross SE variant features the efficient 1.5-liter Multi Point Injection (MPI) gasoline engine paired with a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission which — operating under Volkswagen’s BlueMotion technology with Euro 6 standard — optimizes fuel economy and minimizes emissions without sacrificing power. Thus, the group’s climb from the lowlands of Metro Manila to the 700-meter elevation of Tagaytay ridge was a breeze. Its 112hp and 145-Nm of torque is more than sufficient to bring participants to their cool destinations. The cruise control also made the long expressway drive extra-relaxed and comfortable, while the sport mode was always available to provide an extra power boost when desired.
The practical spaciousness of the T-Cross cabin was also highlighted. With the folded rear seat bench, an already cavernous 329 liters of luggage compartment expands up to 1,319 liters — more than enough for the participants to take in their camera equipment, tripods, and other tools of the media trade, along with the souvenirs of the pottery-making exercise and other personal items.
The participants — however — were never really “alone” in their T-Cross during the entire trip. To keep everyone safe on the road, the vehicle’s Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) was their “guardian angel” of sorts, always ready to help them stay in control of the vehicle even when the way got twisty, or when unforeseen obstructions on the road suddenly came up. Other safety features of the T-Cross also came in handy for the various driving conditions a trip up the ridge presented, such as the hill hold control, anti-slip regulation, rear parking distance control, and the rear camera (exclusive to the SE variant).
Driving in higher elevations also presents an additional challenge — the sudden onset of fog. In such conditions, the T-Cross SE variant adds another layer of safety via visibility by being equipped with LED headlights, daytime running lights, and front fog lamp with corner light function, apart from the standard rear foglamp. When the mist does clear up, the SE variant is ready to give its occupants added visual treats via a panoramic sunroof.
The media participants discovered that, on board the Volkswagen T-Cross, there’s really more than one way to enjoy a trip to a familiar destination. And that was just for one day.
